Focal 165KR yay or nay?

[Deutscher]

Fellow JC audio enthusiasts,

I've recently purchased a 90 Toyota MR2 SW20 and am in need of getting a new stereo

My previous set up for my VS Calais was:
SoundStream TRC6N Components (200rms) with SoundStream SST-05 (100rms) replacing the tweeters running of a SoundStream TRX2.820 (250rms x 2). With a 12" Hifonic Olympus 2412 (2400rms @ 1ohm 12") running of a Hifonic Brutus 2608D (2600rms x 1).

I'm not into competitions, but I like my music loud.

I found that the TRC6N woofers were alright, nothing overly fancy, just had the handling power. The SST-05's seemed a little too harsh on the highs (probably because of tuning or placement) (is in top vent on the door).

Holdenboy, your setup is a SPL setup, what do you use for speakers? or is yours just for bass?

My budget is probably ~$700, maybe more if that extra bit of money is noticable. I was looking at the Focal 165KR's, they won 2009 award for under $1000. and Focal is known for it's SQ. I do like SQ but I do like it loud (im 21 hehe). I'm just not sure if they will be loud enough for me. I've heard them on the board at the shop, they sound really clear, I just don't know how they will sound in a car. Unfortuantely I don't know anyone with these kind of speakers.

Reason I picked the SoundStream TRC6N's was because they were rated at 200rms and were highly recommended in In-Car Entertainment for 2009 Awards under $1000. I know magazines are stupid because because speakers get in depending on who pays the highest but It was something I could start on. The 200rms took the cake for me. The Focal speakers are only rated for 80rms ... which don't seem like a lot.

Edit: Forgot to mention what music I listen to:
Dance/Trance/DnB - Maximum Bass, Ultimate NRG etc.,
Rap & Hip Hop - Tech N9ne!, Bone Thugs, Three 6 Mafia, 50, Hilltop Hoods, Fatman Scoop etc,
Metal - Rammstein!!, Old Linkin Park, Old Limp Bizkit, Rage Against the Machines, In Flames.
Other - Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Red Hot Chili Pepers, 3Oh3!, Black Eyed Peas,

[HCVP]

As an SPL setup, speaker's aren't an issue, as they aren't used in the measuring process.

It's basically meaningless comparing speakers on paper, especially when you are trying decide which set will be louder.Persoanlly, i've found from previous experience, that i am likely to be less happy with an upgrade, than more happy.

My suggestion, considering the smaller cabin space of the MR2, compared to your VS as previous, i'd have to say go with the same speakers as your used last time.Atleast they will be a familiar sound to you, and the smaller cabin will have it's own gains to offer.Save the extra money, and spend it wisely on some sound deadning instead.Reducing some of the intrusion noise will also make a big difference for you aswell...

With your mid woofer previously, what high pass filter level did you have them set at once you added the sub?

[Deutscher]

As an SPL setup, speaker's aren't an issue, as they aren't used in the measuring process.

It's basically meaningless comparing speakers on paper, especially when you are trying decide which set will be louder.Persoanlly, i've found from previous experience, that i am likely to be less happy with an upgrade, than more happy.

My suggestion, considering the smaller cabin space of the MR2, compared to your VS as previous, i'd have to say go with the same speakers as your used last time.Atleast they will be a familiar sound to you, and the smaller cabin will have it's own gains to offer.Save the extra money, and spend it wisely on some sound deadning instead.Reducing some of the intrusion noise will also make a big difference for you aswell...

I knew SPL was bass related, but I woulda thought that with all that bass for his daily he woulda had some decent speakers to keep up.

I used to have the Alpine Type R splits in the front and coaxils in back, but replaced them with the Soundstream stuff.

I'll get my doors inner and outter skins dynamated and probably remove the glovebox (for my box space) and dynamat under the rear windscreen to help try keep the engine noises outside (mid engine ). I'll get Rockford Fosgate wiring all round aswell. Hoping to get a D34 YT - if it fits. and Alpine 9887 deck. Haven't thought about subs yet, I got 2x 10" Alpine Type S in there at the moment, so this will be the last to replace.

[HCVP]

Save your money on the Rockford wiring, the extra money you spend is not worth the gain.If you think it is, set it up to blind test against some cheaper wire, if you can tell the difference, then ofcourse, go with it, but my money say's you won't notice a difference.

[Deutscher]

Save your money on the Rockford wiring, the extra money you spend is not worth the gain.If you think it is, set it up to blind test against some cheaper wire, if you can tell the difference, then ofcourse, go with it, but my money say's you won't notice a difference.

It's cool. I can get 4GA Rockford kit for $170 and 0GA for $210. Think thats alright price. Peace of mind I got decent gear and I'm not going cheap on the wire. Blind test I probably wouldn't be able to tell, I'm one of those people if I'm spending decent money on some speakers and things, might aswell get decent wire aswell.

[wraith]

It's cool. I can get 4GA Rockford kit for $170 and 0GA for $210. Think thats alright price. Peace of mind I got decent gear and I'm not going cheap on the wire. Blind test I probably wouldn't be able to tell, I'm one of those people if I'm spending decent money on some speakers and things, might aswell get decent wire aswell.

Wire is wire. Brand has nothing to do with it. Don't be suckered into brand name kits. The money you save can be better put into other parts of the stereo.

[calais_cruzin]

tech n9ne ftw!!

[Deutscher]

Wire is wire. Brand has nothing to do with it. Don't be suckered into brand name kits. The money you save can be better put into other parts of the stereo.

Anyway, regardless of wiring, this was thread was for the speakers.

[Deutscher]

With your mid woofer previously, what high pass filter level did you have them set at once you added the sub?

Sorry I didn't respond to this part. I actually didn't do the tuning of the system, I left that up to Alberts because I got them to chuck it all in. (They decided to put the tweeter in the vents (because the wouldn't fit in the stock tweeter place)).

[Deutscher]

tech n9ne ftw!!

Thx for your very unuseful contribution on the speaker matter calais_cruzin.

But glad to hear another Tech fan

[wraith]

Anyway, regardless of wiring, this was thread was for the speakers.

Yeah trying to help you save money and give advice but hey if you want to be like that fine.

[HCVP]

Sorry I didn't respond to this part. I actually didn't do the tuning of the system, I left that up to Alberts because I got them to chuck it all in. (They decided to put the tweeter in the vents (because the wouldn't fit in the stock tweeter place)).

Ok, do you understand what a high pass filter is, and how it works? Because a lot of the time, people leave their speakers running in full pass, after adding a sub.Also, whenever you disconect the battery, you loose your current settings aswell.

[Deutscher]

Ok, do you understand what a high pass filter is, and how it works? Because a lot of the time, people leave their speakers running in full pass, after adding a sub.Also, whenever you disconect the battery, you loose your current settings aswell.

Yep I know what a HPF and LPF is, and yes I'm aware disconnecting the battery loses current settings - although my deck didn't have any settings set after the install, they told me they set the crossovers and amps for tat particular reason (now I don't know if thats a good or bad thing). From my understanding isn't it bad to not have a HPF set regardless?

[Deutscher]

Yeah trying to help you save money and give advice but hey if you want to be like that fine.

Sorry buddy, I had decided on the Rockford before. Thx for trying to save me money on that one tho, but like I said.. I'm one of these people that thinks a branded (Rockford) would be in some way better than non-branded (black and gold wire XD). I'll spend that extra $10 and have piece of mind.

[wraith]

Sorry buddy, I had decided on the Rockford before. Thx for trying to save me money on that one tho, but like I said.. I'm one of these people that thinks a branded (Rockford) would be in some way better than non-branded (black and gold wire XD). I'll spend that extra $10 and have piece of mind.

Haha yeah cool. Focal splits with a decent amp = deafening. Even the basic splits are good. Don't forget they are 2 ohms though. Most amplifiers run 4 ohm.

[Deutscher]

Haha yeah cool. Focal splits with a decent amp = deafening. Even the basic splits are good. Don't forget they are 2 ohms though. Most amplifiers run 4 ohm.

Ah dang, see after all that you've helped me. Didn't know they were 2ohm.

Edit: The ones I'm after are 4ohm hehe. But I did notice that other ones were 2ohm

[wraith]

You can find 2 ohm amps that will happily run it. Keep it Focal. Have a look at the Focal Solid 2. Exactly what you need.

[Deutscher]

You can find 2 ohm amps that will happily run it. Keep it Focal. Have a look at the Focal Solid 2. Exactly what you need.

Focal 165KR
Nominal, power handling: 80W RMS
4 ohm impedance
Frequency response: 60Hz-20kHz.

Focal Solid2
Nominal power at 14.4V @ 4ohm 2x75W
Frequency response (-1dB) 10Hz-60kHz

Isn't it slightly underpowering? I was looking at getting one with 90-100rms, so I don't clip the amp or overheat it trying to push it.
IT would be alright If I went for the 165KR2's which are 2ohm, because that amp runs 100 @ 2ohm per side.

[wraith]

I had a brainfade my bad. It's Friday. I have a set of the cheaper splits on the deck with 60W RMS running through them with no clipping etc. If you don't go stupid with the gain then it will be fine. Also the speakers that won the award were the 165KR which is 2 ohm. The 4 ohm set didn't.

[Deutscher]

I had a brainfade my bad. It's Friday. I have a set of the cheaper splits on the deck with 60W RMS running through them with no clipping etc. If you don't go stupid with the gain then it will be fine. Also the speakers that won the award were the 165KR which is 2 ohm. The 4 ohm set didn't.

?? Focal K2 Power speakers and subwoofers
Can you get them in both impendance?

http://www.avhub.com.au/Features.asp...7&FeatureID=98 - It doesn't say 2ohm or 4ohm but does say 165KR not KR2. On Focal website it says the KR are 4ohm and the KR2 are 2ohm.

[wraith]

?? Focal K2 Power speakers and subwoofers
Can you get them in both impendance?

Haha ok it's Friday and end of day sorry. Yes 4 ohms they are. Sorry again.

[PRAVX II S]

Focal are great speakers they are very clear and use quality parts in the crossovers.
80W RMS is plenty loud mate.
I am running pioneer pro series splits that are 60W RMS and using a 2 channel pioneer amp that are rated at 2X 125W RMS. In my vx.
I have Focal splits(130VR 5inch) in my BMW E39 5 series my second car. They sound very clear. And there not made in china as well you cant go wrong.

[calais_cruzin]

spec sheet says only 4ohm, ive got focal 165vb splits, there 4ohm aswell

Its the KR2/X2 that are 2ohm

[Deutscher]

Haha ok it's Friday and end of day sorry. Yes 4 ohms they are. Sorry again.

Lol.
I've got till 5:30 till I finish work (its 2:49). Keeping myself occupied by searching speakers lol.

[calais_cruzin]

have a look at crescendo, gettin good rep on sites, sumone won a SQ comp with a set of 7" i think they were